Human resource policies and procedures are designed to improve how employees are managed within the workplace environment. They provide a framework that allows supervisors and managers to make rational decisions and take consistent actions. More specifically, promotional policies and procedures form part of any company’s policy framework and are primarily instituted to provide overall promotion guidelines in the organization.

Purpose

The ultimate purpose of a promotion policy is to clarify pay adjustments as related to rank and job category. Promotional policies are designed to promote career growth through providing and maintaining an appropriate work environment and adequate resources to enable professional employees to apply and develop their skills and capacities towards achieving an organization’s goals. The guiding principles underlining such policy must seek to ensure fairness, consistency and uniformity in the matter of promotion of employees in the company. The policy should also create and sustain the morale of the employees by encouraging them to apply for positions they are qualified for that fulfill their career interests and objectives.

Procedures

Workplace promotions may result from a new job opening, or from an upward reclassification of an existing position in the company. Factors that should be considered when determining the eligibility of an employee’s promotion include performance levels, skills, education, relevant experience and professional development.

Employee Evaluation

In most companies, performance appraisal systems are utilized to evaluate employees generally, and for promotions. When an employee from within the company is involved, he should demonstrate current capacity to perform the duties at the next highest rank. In some companies, depending on the type of job involved, the hiring supervisor might be mandated to evaluate the employee’s performance ability in the new position for several months.

Who is Suitable?

A candidate is evaluated based on a number of factors including professionalism, past achievements, and the willingness to assume additional responsibilities. To improve chances of getting a promotion, candidates should submit information that strategically shows their capacity to meet the responsibilities in the new position. Candidates who meet the basic qualifications of the position or job category, and who have also fulfilled all other requirements associated with the given rank and position become, eligible for promotions. Promotional policies also provide basic guidelines to address personal grievances resulting from disputes or concerns about the promotion review process.

About the Author

Leanes Lowrie has been writing professionally since 2004. He holds a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) and Bachelor of Commerce in international business from IESE Business School and Desautels School of Management, McGill University, respectively. Leanes is also a diploma holder in journalism from Concordia University.